JUSTICE

Legal Costs

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what his policy is on the payment of a defendant's (a) wasted costs and (b) costs of legal advice and representation by a private prosecutor following a failed prosecution; and if he will make a statement.

Shailesh Vara: The information is as follows.
	(a) Section 19A of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 provides for a court to make an order against a legal representative, whether of the prosecution or of the defendant, in respect of 'wasted costs', which means costs that are incurred as a result of an improper, unreasonable or negligent act or omission by a legal representative rather than a party.
	(b) Where a court is satisfied that costs have been incurred as a result of an unnecessary or improper act or omission by a party, it has power under section 19 of the 1985 Act to order them to be paid by that party. In such circumstances the court thus has power to order the prosecutor to pay the defendant's costs, and vice versa. In the absence of such act or omission, a court may order the payment of a defendant's costs out of central funds under section 16 of the 1985 Act.
	The Government has no plans to amend these provisions.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Bovine Tuberculosis

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of badgers culled to date have been infected with tuberculosis.

George Eustice: There were no plans to test badgers culled for infection with M. bovis. This was one of the elements investigated during the Randomised Badger Culling Trial, giving us evidence on the typical prevalence of TB in badgers in areas of high TB incidence, and has not been repeated during the pilots.

Bovine Tuberculosis

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the effects of (a) weather variations and (b) health among the badger population in his Department's most recent estimate of the number of badgers.

George Eustice: The methodology used to estimate the badger populations in the pilot areas was not designed to provide reasons for any changes in these populations. Its aim was to provide an estimate of the population at that time.

Bovine Tuberculosis

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 21 October 2013, Official Report, column 51W, on bovine tuberculosis, on what evidential basis his Department has produced the estimated badger populations in both cull zones; and what the estimated badger population in Woodchester Park was in the last three available time periods.

George Eustice: Before the pilots started, hair trapping was carried out in both areas in order to secure an up to date population estimate for the period immediately before the cull started. We will only be able to produce a robust population estimate for 2013 at Woodchester Park once we have completed trapping for 2014.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Hillsborough Independent Panel

Steve Rotheram: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many briefings he has received on the ongoing investigations into the Hillsborough disaster to date.

Nicholas Clegg: The Deputy Prime Minister has taken a strong personal interest in the investigations into the Hillsborough disaster and receives regular briefings on the topic verbally and in writing.

CABINET OFFICE

Government Departments: ICT

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office 
	(1)  what security guidance he issues on the use of personal devices and networks in Government buildings;
	(2)  what his Department's policy is on officials and Ministers using their own personal devices for work purposes;
	(3)  what security the Government puts in place on Ministers' personal technology devices; what management and audit by officials there is of that security; and if he will make a statement.

Francis Maude: The Cabinet Office provides all Government Departments and Ministers with advice and guidance on security policy. Our emphasis is on effective risk management.
	On 17 October I announced our new security Classification Policy. This should help Departments strike the right balance between meeting business needs and containing information risks.
	A copy of the new policy has been placed in the Library and is available on:
	www.gov.uk

Oil: Scotland

Tom Watson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what recent meetings he has had with representatives from oil import and distribution companies with regards to increasing the amount of oil imported into Scotland and civil contingencies; and if he will make a statement. [R]

Francis Maude: As part of my Department's transparency programme, details of ministerial meetings with external organisations are published on the Cabinet Office website at:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/ministers-transparency-publications

Sixth Form Colleges: Finance

Mark Hoban: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office for what reasons the financial borrowings of sixth form colleges are not counted towards total government debt.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Glen Watson, dated October 2013
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question: for what reasons the financial borrowings of sixth form colleges are not counted towards total government debt.
	Sixth Form College Corporations are currently classified in National Accounts as Non-Profit Institutions Serving Households. This means that the colleges are outside of the public sector and so their financial liabilities are not included in either public sector debt or government debt measures.
	Further detail on this classification decision can be found via this link:
	http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/na-classification/national-accounts-sector-classification/classification-update---may-2012/index.html

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Amira Osman Hamed

Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on the case of Amira Osman Hamed; and if he will make representations to his Sudanese counterpart that the charges against her should be dropped.

Mark Simmonds: Amira Osman Hamed, a Sudanese activist, while in a government building on 27 August, was asked by the Public Order police to cover her head. She refused, and was arrested. She was charged under Article 152 of the 1991 Criminal Code, which deals with public decency and morals, and faces a fine or up to 40 lashes. Her trial was held on 19 September at the Jebel Awlia court, and we understand has now been adjourned until 4 November.
	Officials from the British embassy, along with other diplomatic missions, have met with two lawyers from her legal team. At this stage the legal team have requested only that we follow the case and a representative of the embassy attended the hearing on 19 September. We will continue to follow the case closely and stay in contact with the legal team.

Iraq: Iran

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 10 June 2013, Official Report, column 84W, on Iraq: Iran, what issues the British Government has raised with the (a) UN and (b)  Government of Iraq concerning conditions at Camp Ashraf and Camp Liberty in Iraq; and if he will make a statement.

Hugh Robertson: Following the attack on Camp Ashraf on 1 September we have raised the safety and security of residents at Camp Liberty with the UN and the Government of Iraq. We regularly receive updates about the situation at Camp Liberty from the UN, who continue to report that conditions at Camp Liberty meet international humanitarian standards.

Iraq: Iran

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 22 April 2013, Official Report, column 84W, on Iraq, what the outcome was of his discussions with the Iraqi Foreign Minister in February on the humanitarian situation at Camp Liberty; and if he will make a statement.

Hugh Robertson: I refer the right hon. and learned Member to the answer given by my predecessor, my hon. Friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt) on 10 June 2013, Official Report, column 84W. During his meeting with the Iraqi Foreign Minister in February my hon. Friend raised his concerns about the 9 February attack on Camp Liberty and discussed residents' access to medical care.

Kashmir

Debbie Abrahams: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department has spent in (a) Kashmir and (b) joint projects between Pakistan-controlled and Indian-controlled Kashmir, in each year since 2009.

Hugo Swire: A total of £1,576,222 has been spent on Kashmir (IaK and PaK) from the South Asia Conflict Pool since 2009. This is broken down as follows:
	
		
			  £ 
			 2009-10 192,064 
			 2010-11 486,621 
			 2011-12 623,842 
			 2012-13 273,695 
		
	
	The fluctuations in each year are due to differences in the number of project applications that are approved and completed in each financial year. The conflict pool is the mechanism by which the Government allocate resources for discretionary conflict prevention, stabilisation and peacekeeping activities and is managed jointly by the Department for International Development, Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Ministry of Defence.
	Conflict Pool activity does not contradict the long standing position of the UK on Kashmir; that it is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting resolution, taking into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people. It is not for the UK to prescribe a solution to the situation in Kashmir or to mediate in finding one.

HEALTH

Buildings

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what refurbishment to (a) Richmond House and (b) Wellington House has been carried out in 2013 to date; what the cost of such refurbishment was; what future refurbishments of those buildings are planned; and what the estimated cost is of such future refurbishment.

Jane Ellison: As part of the transition to the new Health and Social Care system a number of new organisations were established as part of the Health and Social Care Act 2012. This has required the Department to improve and update its buildings to accommodate these new organisations thus maximising efficiency and effectiveness without purchasing expensive new buildings. Refurbishment relates to the general fit out, improvement and provision of furniture and equipment. We have also taken the opportunity to deliver a number of improvements to our lighting, heating and cooling systems which will make our buildings more energy efficient and help towards delivering our Greener Government targets.
	Costs of the refurbishment undertaken in 2013 to date and for planned refurbishment in Richmond House and Wellington House is detailed as follows:
	
		
			  Costs (£) 
			 Richmond House  
			 Refurbishments undertaken in 2013 to date 2,746,483 
			 Planned future refurbishments 1,200,000 
			 Wellington House  
			 Refurbishments undertaken in 2013 to date 6,291,717 
			 Planned future refurbishments 2,800,000

Clinical Trials: Scotland

Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the public awareness campaign in Scotland to encourage greater participation in randomised controlled trials.

Jane Ellison: The Department has made no specific assessment of the effectiveness of the initiative by NHS Research Scotland to establish a register of people interested in participating in health research.

Food: Advertising

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the public health effects of junk food being displayed at supermarket checkouts; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Ellison: There is evidence that the majority of food promoted at checkouts and in queuing areas is less healthy than elsewhere, and that foods sold at impulse purchase points such as checkouts experience uplifts in sales. According to one report(1), parents have indicated that positioning of sweets at checkouts can increase pestering to purchase by their children.
	(1) “Checkouts checked out: How supermarkets and high street stores promote junk food to children and their parents”, published by the Children's Food Campaign in March 2012.
	We have identified food promotion as an area for action under the Responsibility Deal, and will be discussing with the food industry actions it might take to reduce exposure to marketing and promotion of less healthy foods.

Food: Safety

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has made to the European Food Safety Authority on permitted health claims for products containing (a) fructose and (b) any other products.

Jane Ellison: The Department has not made any representations to the European Food Safety Authority on permitted health claims for products containing fructose or any other substances.

Fructose

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the public health effect of allowing food and drink manufacturers to make positive health claims for products containing fructose.

Jane Ellison: The only permitted health claim for fructose is:
	“consumption of foods containing fructose leads to a lower blood glucose rise compared to foods containing sucrose or glucose”.
	The United Kingdom played a full part in European Union discussions leading to the authorisation of the claim, during which public health implications were taken into account.
	The claim may only be used if certain rules, designed to support public health, are respected. The glucose or sucrose content in the food must be at least 30% less than in similar foods and the label must tell the consumer that the food should be part of a varied and balanced diet and that it is important to lead a healthy lifestyle. The claim must not be presented in any way that could lead to excess consumption of the food.

Health Services: Freedom of Information

Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what advice he has received regarding what changes to existing legislation would be needed to extend the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to cover private healthcare providers;
	(2)  what recent discussions he has had with private healthcare providers on extending Freedom of Information Act 2000 provision to cover private companies providing services to NHS patients.

Jane Ellison: The Government recognises the importance of maintaining transparency in relation to outsourced public services. Requirements in relation to freedom of information requests are included in the national health service standard contract for all providers of NHS services. A high level group, chaired by Monitor, which is considering the implementation of the Fair Playing Field review will continue to consider the operation of existing transparency, requirements.
	The Government does not currently intend to extend the Freedom of Information Act to private healthcare providers. There have been no recent discussions about this with private providers of NHS services.
	Guidance will be provided in a revised Code of Practice to be issued under section 45 of the Act to promote openness by all contractors providing public services, including through the use and enforcement of contractual transparency provisions.

Health Services: Greater London

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 18 October 2013, Official Report, column 895W, on health services: Greater London, which clinical commissioning groups will contribute how much revenue costs.

Jane Ellison: We understand that the proportion of revenue costs relating to the dissolution of South London Healthcare NHS Trust that is to be met by local clinical commissioning groups (CCGS) will be apportioned among the following groups:
	Bexley CCG;
	Bromley CCG;
	Greenwich CCG;
	Lambeth CCG;
	Lewisham CCG; and
	Southwark CCG.
	Information on the respective amounts to be met by each CCG is not centrally held.
	However, we are informed that the local CCGs have agreed to support the cost of the transactions from funds set aside each year for spending flexibly on non-recurrent priorities. This means that planned health care services in south London will not be adversely affected.

NHS Property Services

Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  pursuant to the answer of 16 October 2013, Official Report, column 765W, on NHS Property Services, for how long each non-executive position on the board of NHS Property Services was advertised; where each non-executive position was advertised; and how many applicants there were for each position;
	(2)  how much money intended for capital purposes was used for short-term financing of NHS Property Services' revenue expenditure;
	(3)  what property NHS Property Services has divested in the last 12 months; and what was (a) the price paid and (b) the district valuation for each such property;
	(4)  what the name of the buyers of any properties disposed of, or sold by, NHS Property Services is; when completion took place; and who the responsible officer was in each instance;
	(5)  whether the £3 billion valuation of properties transferred to NHS Property Services reflects the market or the district valuation.

Daniel Poulter: The Department of Health followed a full and transparent recruitment process on behalf of IMHS Property Services Limited (NHS PS) to appoint the non-executive directors (NEDs). The process included an executive search and advertisement.
	An advertisement was placed in the following online publications:
	The Times;
	The Financial Times;
	Executive Appointments; and
	Harvey Nash Journal.
	The process began during November 2012 with a three week closing date.
	In total 115 responses were received and assessed. Of these:
	39 applications were considered strong;
	31 applications were worth further consideration;
	24 applications were considered borderline; and
	21 applications did not meet the criteria.
	10 candidates were shortlisted for final consideration, all of which include the current NEDs.
	Since the establishment of NHS PS on 1 April 2013, the company has disposed of 16 freehold properties, generating £13.1 million of receipts for the public purse. These are listed in the following table.
	Property to be disposed of is first listed on the Electronic Property Information Mapping Service (ePIMS) website, which allows other public sector bodies to purchase it. Properties are listed on this website for 40 working days and if no other public sector organisation expresses an interest then they will be marketed;
	NHS PS's assets are sold through an arm's length open market process, where there are a multitude of bidders the market will set the value. Where the local market is not strong and there has been limited interest in the property the sale price is supported by district valuer, or other third party independent valuations. However, in most instances the property will have been valued at some point prior to or during the sales process by the district valuer or other third party independent valuers to assist in the marketing strategy. All disposals are handled in line with NHS Estatecode and Cabinet Office and Treasury guidelines.
	The responsible officer for all disposals is NHS PS's Director of Asset Management. All transactions are approved by two authorised officers under the company's corporate governance rules.
	We are unable to disclose the identity of purchasers to because this information is commercially sensitive.
	The table lists the property and date it was sold, the amount it was sold for and the market value.
	
		
			 Asset name and address Date of completion Contracted sale price (£ million) Market value (£ million) 
			 The Link Health Centre, Farrer Street, Stockton-on-Tees 4 April 2013 0.085 0.085 
			 Poole House, Stokesley Road, Nunthorpe 1 May 2013 2.715 2.715 
		
	
	
		
			 St James' Hospital, Development Land, Riverhead Close, Southsea 7 May 2013 0.765 0.800 
			 The Elms Health Centre, High Street, Potters Bar 13 May 2013 0.465 0.465 
			 Windmill House, Everett Close, Bushy Heath 22 May 2013 5.100 5.000 and 5.200 
			 Redclyffe House, 63 The Avenue, Gosport 30 May 2013 0.477 0.477 
			 3 Auckland Road, Scunthorpe 7 June 2013 0.085 0.085 
			 72 Laburnum Avenue, Wallsend 14 June 2013 0.090 0.090 
			 Devizes Clinic, New Park Street, Devises 27 June 2013 0.395 0.395 
			 Upton Clinic, Weston Grove, Upton 8 August 2013 0.170 0.170 
			 St Johns Surgery, Manor Farm Road, Huyton 14 August 2013 0.060 0.060 
			 Balsall Common Clinic, 148 Station Rd, Balsall Common, Coventry 16 August 2013 0.230 0.185 
			 Blacon Health Clinic, Church Way, Blacon 28 August 2013 0.255 0.255 and 0.185 
			 Alcester Hospital, Priory Road,. Alcester 30 August 2013 1.400 1.125 
			 17 Castle Street, Worcester 6 September 2013 0.283 0.283 and 0.162 
			 Health Clinic, Market Square, Bishops Stortfort 16 September 2013 0.590 0.475 
			 Note: These properties were based on a market value range    
		
	
	The sale of these properties made a total profit of £495,500, above estimated market value.
	The identity of purchasers cannot be released to protect their confidentiality.
	The £3 billion estimate for the value of the property portfolio was arrived at by aggregating the valuations in the accounts of the primary care trusts and other bodies from which they were transferred. In the main, the assets were in operational use, and where this is the case properties will have been valued on an “existing use” basis by professional valuers. This is in accordance with Treasury guidance for accounting for public sector assets.
	Where properties are known to have been surplus, they would have been held at open market value, reflecting the fact that there is no existing health service use for them.

NHS: Energy

Christopher Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what costs were incurred by the NHS estate in respect of (a) gas and (b) electricity supply in the 2012-13 financial year.

Daniel Poulter: The information is not available in the precise format requested.
	The Department holds information on the total annual cost of energy consumed by national health service organisations. The information relates to the cost of all energy supplies including gas and electricity but does not identify the cost of each separately.
	For the 2012-13 period, the NHS reported a total energy cost of £633.8 million.
	The information has been supplied by the NHS and has not been amended centrally. The accuracy and completeness of the information is the responsibility of the provider organisation.

NHS: Finance

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has made to NHS England on protecting funding based on geographical remoteness in the review of funding of NHS commissioning bodies.

Jane Ellison: Responsibility for resource allocation is a matter for NHS England as set out in the Mandate. NHS England is overseeing the fundamental review of allocation policy and will draw on the expert advice of the independent Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation (ACRA) and involve a range of external partners. The review will be completed in time for initial conclusions to inform 2014-15 allocations. NHS England will consider the recommendations and findings of ACRA as part of this. Ensuring that the needs of rural areas are adequately captured will be a consideration.

Physiotherapy

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will hold discussions with the devolved regions regarding independent prescribing by physiotherapists across all parts of the UK.

Jane Ellison: We have no plans to hold discussions with the devolved Administrations on this issue as they were fully involved in work to enable independent prescribing by physiotherapists.
	The necessary amendments to medicines legislation, which apply throughout the United Kingdom, came into force on 20 August 2013. Arrangements for the implementation of independent prescribing by physiotherapists are matters for each of the devolved Administrations.
	Work continues with the Home Office and the devolved Administrations, concerning independent prescribing by this profession of a restricted range of controlled drugs.

School Meals

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what meetings the Minister for Public Health has had with (a) ministeral colleagues and (b) officials at the Department for Education regarding school food.

Jane Ellison: My predecessor, my hon. Friend the hon. Member for Broxtowe (Anna Soubry), met with the Under-Secretary of State for Education, my hon. Friend the Member for South West Norfolk (Elizabeth Truss), in April and June to discuss school food. I have had an informal discussion with the Under-Secretary of State about school food and a formal meeting will be arranged in due course. Departmental officials meet regularly to discuss progress on delivering of the School Food Plan.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Children: Maintenance

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether the Child Support Agency can report a non-paying parent of child maintenance to a credit reference agency.

Steve Webb: We are exploring bringing into force powers laid out in the Child Maintenance and Other Payments Act 2008, providing for the disclosure of payment information to credit reference agencies. This would be subject to a public consultation before any regulations were laid in Parliament.

Devonport Dockyard

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when the Office for Nuclear Regulation was first informed of the failure of an electrical ring main at HM Naval Base Devonport on 29 July 2012; and what the reason was for the time taken to issue an improvement notice requiring the site operator to take action to remedy shortfalls identified following the incident.

Michael Penning: The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) was made aware of the incident involving a loss of electrical power at the Devonport site on 29 July 2012. ONR were satisfied that Devonport Royal Dockyard's (DRDL) investigation and subsequent corrective actions were appropriate. No Improvement Notice was issued. Follow up inspections were carried out in August 2012, April 2013 and August 2013. ONR remains satisfied with the actions taken by DRDL in respect of this matter.
	An Improvement Notice was issued on 16 July 2013 to DRDL following inspections by ONR into a number of incidents at the site in which operations were not carried out in accordance with their own operating rules and instructions. This was not related to the incident in July 2012.

Housing Benefit

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what the actual and percentage change in the number of households in receipt of housing benefit was in (a) England and Wales, (b) each English region and (c) each London local authority in each of the last five years;
	(2)  what the actual and percentage change in the number of households in receipt of local housing allowance was in (a) England and Wales, (b) each English region and (c) each London local authority in each of the last five years.

Steve Webb: The information requested will be placed in the House of Commons Library. Detailed statistics on housing benefit and local housing allowance can be found at:
	https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk
	Guidance on how to extract the information required can be found at:
	https://sw.stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Stat-Xplore_User_Guide.htm

Housing Benefit: Young People

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people (a) in total and (b) aged between 16 and 24 years old claimed housing benefit in 2012.

Steve Webb: The information requested for the number (a) in total and (b) aged under 25 claiming housing benefit in total and for private rented accommodation in 2012, can be found at:
	https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk
	Guidance on how to extract the information required can be found at:
	https://sw.stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Stat-Xplore_User_Guide.htm

Housing Benefit: Young People

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people (a) in total and (b) aged between 16 and 24 years old claimed housing benefit for private rented accommodation in 2012.

Steve Webb: The information requested for the number (a) in total and (b) aged under 25 claiming housing benefit in total and for private rented accommodation in 2012, can be found at:
	https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk
	Guidance on how to extract the information required can be found at:
	https://sw.stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Stat-Xplore_User_Guide.htm

Housing Benefit: Young People

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people aged 16 to 24 years old who claimed housing benefit in 2012 had been claiming for (a) less than six months and (b) between six months and a year.

Steve Webb: The duration of claim for housing benefit (HB) recipients aged between 16 and 24 is not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Housing Benefit: Young People

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people aged between 16 and 24 years old and claiming housing benefit in 2012 were also in receipt of employment and support allowance.

Steve Webb: The information requested is not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	Information is only available for HB recipients whose claim is passported: that is for those who receive either income support, jobseekers allowance (income-based), employment and support allowance (income-based), or pension credit (guaranteed credit).
	This information can be found at:
	https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk
	Guidance on how to extract the information required can be found at:
	https://sw.stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Stat-Xplore_User_Guide.htm

Social Security Benefits: Disability

Owen Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) applications, (b) successful applications and (c) appeals against failed applications there have been for (i) work capability assessments and (ii) personal independence payments since May 2010 by (A) people in Wales and (B) people in other areas of the UK.

Esther McVey: Personal independence payment (PIP) started in April 2013 and although limited data has started to feed through, we need to wait until the Department has quality assured and meaningful figures for publication. The Department is working to guidelines set by the UK Statistics Authority to ensure we are able to publish statistics that meet high quality standards at the earliest opportunity. In line with the timetable for release of statistics detailed in our publication strategy we intend to publish Official Statistics on personal independence payment from spring 2014 onwards.
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-release-strategy
	The information requested on work capability assessments (WCA) is shown in the following tables.
	
		
			 New claims for employment and support allowance (ESA)—Outcomes of initial functional assessments, May 2010 to February 2013 
			   WCA outcome   
			  Total Total completed Of which: Resulted in Entitlement to ESA Claim closed before assessment complete Assessment still in progress 
			 GB 2,086,800 1,173,400 578,500 744,200 169,200 
			 Wales 144,200 75,300 35,200 51,900 16,900 
			 Rest of GB 1,942,600 1,098,200 543,300 692,300 152,200 
		
	
	
		
			 New claims for employment and support allowance (ESA)—Outcomes of repeat functional assessments, May 2010 to February 2013 
			   WCA outcome   
			  Total Total completed Of which: Resulted in entitlement to ESA Claim closed before assessment complete Assessment still in progress 
			 GB 772,400 558,700 437,800 85,500 128,300 
			 Wales 46,600 32,200 24,900 5,000 9,400 
			 Rest of GB 725,800 526,500 413,000 80,500 118,800 
		
	
	
		
			 Incapacity benefit (IB) reassessment—Outcomes of work capability assessments, adjusted to account for the outcome of appeal, March 2011 to November 2012 
			   WCA outcome   
			  Total Total completed Of which: Resulted in entitlement to ESA Claim closed before assessment complete Assessment still in progress 
			 GB 885,800 839,400 612,700 31,100 15,400 
			 Wales 63,200 60,000 42,200 2,300 800 
			 Rest of GB 822,700 779,300 570,500 28,700 14,600 
		
	
	
		
			 Completed appeals against Fit for Work (FFW) decisions for new ESA claims in Great Britain: May 2010 to May 2012 
			  Appeals 
			 GB 167,100 
		
	
	
		
			 Wales 12,700 
			 Rest of GB 154,400 
			 Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 100. 2. In respect of IB reassessments, as part of the national roll-out, a limited introductory phase started on 28 February 2011 and the full national roll-out began in April 2011. As there were no referrals to Atos Healthcare on 28 February 2011 the table only starts with referrals made from March 2011 onwards. Source: Data in the above tables is derived from administrative data held by the DWP, assessment data provided by Atos Healthcare 
		
	
	The information requested for appeals heard on Fit for Work decisions in the functional assessment for repeat claims to ESA and incapacity benefit (IB) reassessments is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	Information for Northern Ireland is the responsibility of the Department for Social Development. Northern Ireland statistics can be found at:
	http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/index/stats_andresearch/benefit_ publications.htm

ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (a) what revenues have been received and (b) how many contributors there have been from the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme in each year since 2010.

Gregory Barker: holding answer 24 October 2013
	The year 2010-11 was a reporting only year. There were 2,109 active participants in that scheme year.
	For the scheme year 2011-12, based on allowances ordered and paid for by participants and allocated by the Environment Agency, £673.7 million of revenue was received. There were 2,097 active participants in that year.
	For the scheme year 2012-13, by 20 September 2013, £653.8 million of revenue was received. For this scheme year there were 2,107 active participants in the scheme.

Energy Performance Certificates

Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what analysis his Department has undertaken of the potential effects of making the Energy Performance Certificate transferable between all companies supporting the Green Deal.

Gregory Barker: An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) can be downloaded from the Domestic and Non-Domestic EPC Registers, except where properties have been opted out or are excluded for other reasons, such as security. The database is open to the public, who can locate an EPC using a simple, web-based postcode search. This has the positive effect of enabling companies supporting the Green Deal to obtain necessary information about the energy efficiency characteristics of a property, without generating a new EPC.

Fuel Poverty

Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many people will be lifted out of fuel poverty by the energy company obligation scheme.

Gregory Barker: As set out in the final impact assessment, available at:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/42984/5533-final-stage-impact-assessment-for-the-green-deal-a.pdf
	it is challenging to project and quantify the impact on fuel poverty of the Green Deal and energy company obligation (ECO) policy framework. This is because of a number of uncertainties, such as which households take-up which measures and the costs of delivering measures over time. There is also inherent uncertainty around changes in the level and distribution of incomes across households, changes to the housing stock independent of the Green Deal and ECO and, of course, energy prices. Nevertheless, based on projected changes in incomes, prices and the housing stock, the measures installed under Green Deal and ECO are estimated to result in a net reduction in fuel poverty of between 125,000 to 250,000 households by the time the costs of ECO are no longer passed through to bills in 2023.(1) This figure does not reflect the aggregate benefits of this policy. In reality, ECO will deliver permanent improvements to 230,000 low income and vulnerable households per year. Indeed, in the first seven months of delivery, 167,000 measures were delivered under affordable warmth and the carbon saving communities elements of ECO combined.
	(1) This estimate is based on the 10% definition of fuel poverty.

Hinkley Point C Power Station

Margaret Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what discussions he has held with his Irish counterpart on the new nuclear plant at Hinkley Point C.

Michael Fallon: DECC has a regular forum for consulting with the Irish Government on nuclear matters. We consulted the Irish Government thoroughly on the potential impact on Ireland of the UK's new nuclear programme, including Hinkley Point, and on our conclusion that there would be no significant impact.

Renewable Energy

Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether hydrogen and fuel cells will be considered as eligible technologies at the next steps of the electricity market reform.

Michael Fallon: The key mechanisms being introduced as part of electricity market reform are the capacity market and contracts for difference (CfDs).
	Generation, storage and demand side response capable of contributing to security of electricity supply will be eligible to participate in the capacity market, with the exception of capacity in receipt of low carbon support such as the renewables obligation or CfD. This would permit hydrogen and fuel cells to compete alongside other resources. On contracts for difference, inclusion of new technologies would require evidence to be provided to the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, the right hon. Member for Kingston and Surbiton (Mr Davey), that the technology is low carbon, will make a significant input into decarbonising electricity generation and would support security of supply. It will also be necessary to provide evidence of the levelised costs of the technology to allow a judgment about the level of support required. It will then be for the Secretary of State to decide whether the technology should be added to the mix of technologies supported by the CfD.
	Fuel cell micro CHP systems of 2 kW or less are currently eligible for support under the feed-in tariff scheme. There is a pilot, limited to the first 30,000 systems, for sub 2 kW micro CHP in general.

Wind Power

Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what proportion of UK energy he estimates wind turbines will contribute by 2016.

Michael Fallon: The proportion of energy delivered by any technology is uncertain as it depends on a range of factors—for example future technology costs. The most recent illustrative scenarios for contributions from different energy technologies between now and 2030 were developed by National Grid and published in July as part of the consultation on the draft Electricity Market Reform Delivery Plan. These indicate a range of 10.2% to 11.7% of generation coming from wind in 2016. These figures are calculated on a GB (not UK) basis and refer to the proportion of electricity generation coming from onshore and offshore wind.

Wind Power

Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what contribution wind turbines make to the total energy production of the UK.

Michael Fallon: In 2013 Q2, the latest period for which data are available, wind contributed 1.9 % of total primary energy production in the UK. This was 7.5% of total electricity generation.
	In 2012, wind contributed 1.4% of total primary energy production in the UK. This was 5.4% of total electricity generation.
	Source
	September 2013 Energy Trends, tables ET6.1, ET 1.1 and ET 5.1, available at:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/renewables-section-6-energy-trends
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/total-energy-section-1-energy-trends
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electricity-section-5-energy-trends

TRANSPORT

Cycling: Rural Areas

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what resources he has made available for cycle safety facilities and schemes on rural sections of the trunk road network in each of the last three years.

Robert Goodwill: The Highways Agency works with cycling organisations to ensure, as far as is reasonably possible, that improvement schemes across the Strategic Road Network in England include elements that will benefit cyclists. The agency does not routinely record the cycling improvement elements of its small scheme enhancement programme, and separate records are not kept for urban and rural routes. The agency is investing up to £5 million in upgrades at 14 locations on the Strategic Road Network benefiting cyclists, and this work will be completed by March 2015. £15 million will be invested in upgrades benefiting cyclists on the Strategic Road Network during the 2015-16 financial year, with plans in place for many more similar schemes.

Motor Vehicles: Noise

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on (a) the European Regulation on the Sound Level of Motor Vehicles, (b) Article 9 of the Regulation on implementing proposals by 2022 and (c) Annex 9 of the legality of the pause switch.

Robert Goodwill: There have been no direct ministerial discussions with EU counterparts. The Department's officials have negotiated on the basis of the agreed Government position during the ongoing discussions between member states and the European Commission, most recently at Council of Ministers Working groups held on the 11 and 24 October. The Government has opposed calls to mandate acoustic vehicle alerting systems in Article 9 and Annex 9 of the proposal, irrespective of the implementation dates, taking account of the available evidence and the additional burden to manufacturers and consumers.

Railway Stations: Disability

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to ensure that all UK railway stations are accessible for disabled passengers.

Stephen Hammond: The Government is committed to improving access to the rail network this demonstrated by continuing with the 10 year Access for All programme that will give at least 150 stations step free routes by 2015. It has also committed a further £100 million to extend the programme until 2019. The Access for All programme is over and above access improvements under other major projects such as Crossrail improvements by Network Rail and the train operating companies.

Railway Stations: Disability

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent estimate he has made of the number of railway stations which are inaccessible for disabled passengers.

Stephen Hammond: The Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) holds information on facilities at stations and publishes this on the National Rail website. We understand from ATOC that 452 out of 2,533 UK railway stations have step free access via lifts or ramps to all platforms.
	It is, however, very difficult to make any meaningful assessment, as what is an accessible station for a visually or hearing impaired person will be completely different to a wheelchair user.

Railways: Chelmsford

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what improvement has been made to journey times on the London Liverpool Street to Chelmsford rail service over the last (a) 10 and (b) 20 years; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Hammond: Over the last 20 years, improvements to the infrastructure have meant that higher line speeds are possible. However with the increased passenger numbers that we have witnessed, train operators have to allow for various factors when deciding on service running; they have to weigh capacity versus calling patterns versus service reliability. Since 2004, the public performance measure (PPM) for the Greater Anglia Franchise has improved, while the cancellation and significant lateness (CaSL) measure shows a more reliable service in operation across the franchise.
	The following table shows PPM and CaSL figures since 2004:
	
		
			 Year and period % Public performance measure % Cancellation and significant lateness % Public performance measure moving annual average % Cancellation and significant lateness moving annual average 
			 2004-05     
			 P13 80.9 6.2 84.8 4.9 
			      
			 2005-06     
			 P01 78.2 6.5 84.2 5.0 
			 P02 80.7 6.3 83.7 5.3 
			 P03 73.8 10.1 83.5 5.4 
			 P04 77.7 10.8 82.7 6.0 
			 P05 82.8 7.2 81.8 6.3 
			 P06 83.2 3.8 81.4 6.4 
			 P07 86.1 2.9 81.6 6.2 
			 P08 79.4 6.4 81.3 6.4 
			 P09 75,7 8.8 80.5 6.8 
			 P10 79.2 7.7 80.3 6.8 
			 P11 86.4 3.1 80.1 6.8 
		
	
	
		
			 P12 84.4 5.5 80.6 6.6 
			 P13 84.8 4.9 80.9 6.5 
			      
			 2006-07     
			 P01 90.1 2.7 81.9 6.2 
			 P02 89.0 3.6 82.5 6.0 
			 P03 87.4 5.2 83.5 5.6 
			 P04 78.9 7.9 83.6 5.4 
			 P05 84.7 3.3 83.7 5.1 
			 P06 78.5 11.3 83.4 5.6 
			 P07 86.3 3.0 83.4 5.7 
			 P08 74.3 9.3 83.0 5.9 
			 P09 72.5 5.6 82.8 5.6 
			 P10 82.7 5.3 83.0 5.5 
			 P11 81.1 7.1 82.6 5.8 
			 P12 84.0 5.0 82.6 5.7 
			 P13 86.5 5.5 82.7 5.8 
			      
			 2007-08     
			 P01 90.5 3.8 82.7 5.9 
			 P02 86.5 6.1 82.5 6.1 
			 P03 87.0 4.9 82.5 6.0 
			 P04 87.9 3.1 83.2 5.6 
			 P05 83.3 5.5 83.1 5.8 
			 P06 86.2 3.3 83.7 5.2 
			 P07 82.9 7.5 83.5 5.6 
			 P08 87.6 1.9 84.6 4.9 
			 P09 80.0 7.2 85.1 5.1 
			 P10 86.7 5.4 85.3 5.1 
			 P11 91.5 1.4 86.2 4.6 
			 P12 90.7 3.3 86.7 4.5 
			 P13 88.5 4.3 86.8 4.4 
			      
			 2008-09     
			 P01 89.6 4.1 86.8 4.4 
			 P02 90.4 2.1 87.1 4.1 
			 P03 83.0 7.7 86.8 4.3 
			 P04 82.3 5.2 86.4 4.5 
			 P05 83.8 4.4 86.4 4.4 
			 P06 88.3 2.6 86.6 4.4 
			 P07 87.8 2.0 87.0 3.9 
			 P08 81.5 3.7 86.5 4.1 
			 P09 78.0 5.5 86.4 3.9 
			 P10 89.0 4.2 86.6 3.8 
			 P11 88.4 2.4 86.3 3.9 
			 P12 90.9 2.5 86.3 3.9 
			 P13 87.5 5.4 86.2 3.9 
			      
			 2009-10     
			 P01 87.0 6.4 86.0 4.1 
			 P02 92.9 1.7 86.2 4.1 
			 P03 89.0 4.6 86.6 3.9 
			 P04 87.6 2.7 87.0 3.7 
			 P05 89.6 1.8 87.5 3.5 
			 P06 85.6 5.0 87.3 3.7 
			 P07 90.0 1.6 87.4 3.7 
			 P08 87.8 2.9 88.0 3.6 
			 P09 78.9 8.7 88.0 3.9 
			 P10 65.4 13.1 86.4 4.4 
		
	
	
		
			 P11 85.2 2.9 86.2 4.5 
			 P12 89.0 3.4 86.0 4.6 
			 P13 91.0 1.9 86.3 4.3 
			      
			 2010-11     
			 P01 93.8 1.5 86.8 3.9 
			 P02 91.8 2.1 86.8 3.9 
			 P03 86.9 3.6 86.6 3.8 
			 P04 80.8 7.4 86.0 4.2 
			 P05 88.5 3.8 86.0 4.3 
			 P06 87.1 6.6 86.1 4.4 
			 P07 89.0 5.4 86.1 4.7 
			 P08 79.5 7.9 85.4 5.1 
			 P09 76.1 10.3 85.2 5.3 
			 P10 70.6 10.5 85.7 5.0 
			 P11 84.8 1.8 85.7 5.0 
			 P12 87.8 1.4 85.6 4.9 
			 P13 87.9 3.0 85.3 5.0 
			      
			 2011-12     
			 P01 85.4 5.9 84.6 5.4 
			 P02 85.0 6.3 84.0 5.7 
			 P03 90.5 2.0 84.2 5.6 
			 P04 89.4 3.4 84.9 5.3 
			 P05 86.0 5.0 84.6 5.4 
			 P06 88.3 4.6 84.7 5.3 
			 P07 89.2 3.0 84.6 5.1 
			 P08 83.0 5.5 85.0 4.8 
			 P09 80.4 5.3 85.5 4.3 
			 P10 81.9 6.7 86.2 4,1 
			 P11 83.6 5.9 86.1 4.4 
			 P12 88.7 2.9 86.1 4.5 
			 P13 90.7 3.1 86.4 4.5 
			      
			 2012-13     
			 P01 90.3 2.7 86.7 4.3 
			 P02 88.9 6.1 87.0 4.3 
			 P03 90.0 3.5 87.0 4.4 
			 P04 90.0 4.1 87.0 4.5 
			 P05 89.9 1.4 87.4 4.2 
			 P06 92.3 2.8 87.7 4.0 
			 P07 93.0 1.5 88.0 3.9 
			 P08 85.4 3.8 88.2 3.8 
			 P09 78.4 6.0 88.0 3.9 
			 P10 88.8 3.3 88.5 3.6 
			 P11 80.4 8.7 88.2 3.8 
			 P12 90.3 3.5 88.4 3.9 
			 P13 90.1 3.1 88.3 3.9 
			      
			 2013-14     
			 P01 93.2 1.7 88.5 3.8 
			 P02 95.3 1.7 89.0 3.5 
			 P03 92.8 3.1 89.3 3.4 
			 P04 89.6 3.6 89.2 3.4 
			 P05 90.1 2.9 89.2 3.5 
			 P06 91.1 1.4 89.1 3.4 
			 P07 92.7 2.7 89.1 3.5

TREASURY

Equitable Life Assurance Society: Compensation

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  when his Department plans to respond to the 17th Report of the Public Accounts Committee, on Administering the Equitable Life Payment Scheme, HC 111;
	(2)  what steps his Department is taking to trace Equitable Life policyholders who are entitled to compensation;
	(3)  what steps his Department is taking to improve the level of customer service provided to Equitable Life policyholders who are entitled to compensation;
	(4)  with reference to the 17th Report of the Public Accounts Committee, on Administering the Equitable Life Payment Scheme, HC 111, what steps his Department is taking to assess the accuracy of the data used by Towers Watson regarding those eligible for compensation from the Equitable Life Payment Scheme.

Sajid Javid: holding answer 24 October 2013
	Treasury Minutes, the Government's response to Parliament on PAC reports, follow the parliamentary timetable. The Government will respond to the Committee on this report in November.

Free School Meals: Northern Ireland

Margaret Ritchie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what Barnett consequentials will follow in funding for Northern Ireland following the extension of free school meals in England.

Danny Alexander: holding answer 24 October 2013
	The details of this package will be announced as part of the Chancellor's autumn statement later this year. The devolved Administrations will receive Barnett consequentials of additions to the Department for Education's budget.

Infrastructure

Ann McKechin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his answer of 21 October 2013, Official Report, column 36W, on income tax, how many of the 12 private finance initiative projects which did not need government lending were included in the original figure of 30 public private infrastructure projects to be covered by the UK Guarantees temporary lending programme; and how many of the projects covered by the UK Guarantees temporary lending programme have now received funding.

Danny Alexander: Following the announcement of the temporary lending programme long-term debt sources for well-structured PPP infrastructure projects have begun to re-emerge.
	The 12 public private infrastructure projects that reached financial close without the need for Government lending were eligible under the temporary lending programme. The UK Guarantees scheme is available for PPP projects that require support.

Personal Income: Greater London

Frank Dobson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will assess the effect on London residents on average income of the purchase of residential property in London by Chinese nationals.

Danny Alexander: holding answer 21 October 2013
	The data available does not allow for an assessment of the impact of property purchases on household income. However, the Government continues to publish an assessment of the impact of all its changes to tax, benefits, and public spending on household income at each fiscal event.

Stamp Duty Land Tax: Wales

Owen Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many submissions were made to the Stamp Duty Land Tax: consultation on the potential effects of devolving to the National Assembly for Wales and Welsh Government; and when a response to the consultation will be published;
	(2)  how many of his officials are working on analysing submissions to the Stamp Duty Land Tax: consultation on the potential effects of devolving to the National Assembly for Wales and Welsh Government.

Danny Alexander: The consultation on stamp duty land tax and the potential effects of devolving to the National Assembly for Wales and Welsh Government closed on 10 September. 40 submissions were received. The Government is still considering these submissions and has not yet decided on the timing or nature of the Government response.
	Several officials from across HMT and HMRC are involved in the analysis of the submissions to the consultation.

EDUCATION

Academies

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education pursuant to the answer of 21 October 2013, Official Report, column 21W, on academies, for what reasons the borrowings of academies count towards total government debt.

Edward Timpson: Academies are classified as public sector bodies by the Office for National Statistics in accordance with European Standards of Accounting 95 accounting standards. Any expenditure or borrowing is therefore included in measures used to calculate public sector net debt.

Academies

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education pursuant to the answer of 21 October 2013, Official Report, column 21W on academies, how many academies have sought his permission to borrow in the last 12 months; for what purpose each request made; and how many such requests were approved.

Edward Timpson: In the 12 months to 22 October 2013, five formal requests for approval to borrow have been received by the Department for Education from academies. All requests were approved. These approved requests were for borrowing to:
	1. purchase photovoltaic panels;
	2. facilitate cash flow management;
	3. provide a bridging loan between a building project and the sale of a property;
	4. lease ICT equipment; and
	5. to refurbish catering facilities.
	In addition, 39 requests have been made and approved for energy efficiency projects from the interest free energy efficiency loan scheme run by SALIX on behalf of the Department of Energy and Climate Change.
	The Department regularly receives informal, tentative enquiries about the possibility of borrowing. Often these do not result in a formal request. The Department does not keep a central record of all these approaches.

Academies

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many academy sponsors have been removed by his Department to date.

Edward Timpson: The Department for Education has not removed any academy sponsors to date.

Donors: Health Education

Glyn Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he is taking to promote awareness of organ donation within schools in England.

Elizabeth Truss: The NHS Blood and Transplant's Organ Donation strategy, Taking Organ Transplantation to 2020, highlights the potential to educate school age children about organ donation and transplantation. Organ donation is a topic that schools may include in science and religious education, and personal, social, health and economic education lessons.
	Teachers are well-placed to judge which topics to cover, tailored to the needs of their pupils and in the context of the school's overall programme. Specific resources are available for teachers, such as Give and Let Live; a free teaching resource pack that includes a teachers' booklet, case studies and background information about the need for donors.(1)
	(1 )Available at:
	www.giveandletlive.co.uk

Extended Schools

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps his Department plans to take to ensure that young people are provided with out of school services.

Elizabeth Truss: Local authorities have a number of existing responsibilities for out of school services. For example, they have a legal duty to secure, so far as is reasonably practicable, sufficient child care for working parents or parents who are studying or training for employment. The Government is also introducing new responsibilities that will strengthen out of school services. For example, under the provisions in the Children and Families Bill, from September 2014, local authorities will have to involve families and young people in producing a 'local offer', which sets out the services that will be available for children and young people with special educational needs (SEN) in their area.
	Schools have the freedom to choose which out of school services they provide or link with, including youth services, because they understand the needs of their pupils. They do have certain duties, however, such as using their 'best endeavours' to identify and meet the needs of pupils with SEN.
	The Government is encouraging, and making it easier for schools to do more, such as: providing out-of-hours and holiday care; using their increased freedoms in the use of alternative provision to meet pupils' needs; and taking up the opportunity of joining the joint Department for Education and Ministry of Defence Cadet Expansion Programme to develop their own military cadet force as part of school life.

GCE A-level

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education 
	(1)  what recent representations he has received on incorrect predictions of A-level grades made by teachers;
	(2)  what recent representations he has received on using predicted A-level grades in the university application process.

Elizabeth Truss: The Secretary of State for Education, my right hon. Friend the Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove), has not recently received correspondence referring to incorrect predictions of A level grades or universities' use of predicted A level grades in making offers to students. He does, however, speak regularly to representatives from schools, colleges, higher education institutions and other relevant organisations, on issues relating to A level reform.
	Predicted A level grades form part of a range of information available to universities about prospective university applicants. Universities also look at other information, such as prior attainment at key stage 4, teachers' assessments and personal statements.
	Research(1) shows that identifying students with very good GCSE results enables universities to identify those students with the potential to do well at university at an early stage. That is why the Government's aim to restore rigour to GCSEs will make them a more useful source of information for university admissions in the future.
	(1 )Available at:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-comparison-of-gcse-results-and-as-level-results-as-a-predictor-of-getting-a-21-or-above-at-university

Pre-school Education

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many children under the age of three attended nursery school for (a) five days a week and (b) on a part-time basis in (i) Ribble Valley constituency, (b) Lancashire and (c) England in each of the last five years.

Elizabeth Truss: The information requested is given in the following table:
	
		
			 Number of children(1) under the age of three(2) in state-funded nursery schools, 2008-09 to 2012-13—England, Lancashire local authority and Ribble Valley constituency 
			  Full-time Part-time(3) 
			 2008-09   
		
	
	
		
			 Ribble Valley constituency 0 19 
			 Lancashire local authority 0 333 
			 England(4) 1,190 6,400 
			    
			 2009-10   
			 Ribble Valley constituency 0 29 
			 Lancashire local authority 0 380 
			 England(4) 860 6,870 
			    
			 2010/11   
			 Ribble Valley constituency 0 25 
			 Lancashire local authority 0 352 
			 England(4) 900 7,370 
			    
			 2011/12   
			 Ribble Valley constituency 0 22 
			 Lancashire local authority 0 374 
			 England(4) 840 7,240 
			    
			 2012/13   
			 Ribble Valley constituency 0 21 
			 Lancashire local authority 0 383 
			 England(4) 930 7,950 
			 (1) Sole or dually registered number (headcount) of pupils. (2) Age as at 31 August before the relevant academic year. (3) Attending fewer than 10 sessions a week. (4) Numbers rounded to nearest 10. Note: Children aged under three may also be attending child care outside of schools in other child care providers such as full day care (incorporating full day care in children's centres), sessional, after-school clubs, holiday clubs and childminders. Source: School census

Pupils: Disadvantaged

David Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Education pursuant to the answer of 14 October 2013, Official Report, columns 602-3W, on free school meals, what plans his Department has to facilitate the availability of pupil premium to Key Stage 1 children and the schools they attend in subsequent years. [Official Report, 1 November 2013, Vol. 569, c. 8MC.]

David Laws: We are providing significant funding through the pupil premium to help raise the attainment of disadvantaged children and are committed to its continuation. As stated in my previous answer, our methodology for allocating the pupil premium in 2014-15 will not be affected by our policy to provide free school meals for all infant pupils.
	We are considering the possible implications for how the pupil premium is allocated longer term. A number of local authorities such as Southwark, Newham, Durham and Islington are currently offering free school meals to their primary pupils whilst still submitting data used in the allocation of pupil premium. We will consider their experience and set out our proposals in due course.

Schools: Sports

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education pursuant to the answer of 2 July 2013, Official Report, column 600W, on schools: sports, what steps he is taking to encourage girls to take part in more physical education at school and to make sport more attractive to girls; and what change in participation level in school sports there has been since the launch of Changing the Game for Girls programme.

Edward Timpson: Across Government we have committed £150 million a year for the school years 2013/14 and 2014/15 to improve the quality of Physical Education (PE) in primary schools for all pupils.
	It is important to improve girls' physical activity levels, and increase their engagement in PE to form a lasting sporting habit. Measures are in place across Government to support this aim. The new National Curriculum programme of study exemplifies a range of team and individual sports and other activities designed to appeal to a broad range of pupils. The Department for Education's website features a case study showcasing methods of increasing (and retaining) girls' engagement in PE and sport.
	In June 2013 the Department for Health awarded grant funding of £227,000 to the Women's Sport and Fitness Foundation (WSFF) to run a pilot scheme to help 25 schools to adapt and improve their provision of school sport to engage more girls. Findings will be available on-line for all schools and will inform future decisions. In addition, Sport England's “Whole Sport Funding 2013-17” plan will ensure that, where appropriate, sports enhance and change their offer for girls and women. We are also working with the national governing bodies of individual sports to ensure that their education offers appeal to girls as well as boys. The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Basingstoke (Maria Miller), recently launched a strategy group to examine ways to encourage girls to become more physically active as well as how more women can be placed in leadership roles in sport.
	The Department for Education does not hold data recording girls' levels of participation in school sports since the publication of the “Changing the Game for Girls” report in May 2012.

Telephone Services

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what his Department's policy is on the use of geographical telephone numbers to allow the public to contact his Department.

Elizabeth Truss: The Department for Education's policy is to offer geographical telephone numbers (or cost equivalents) to allow the public to contact the Department. In accordance with Ofcom guidance, all of our public facing helplines use 01, 02, 03 or 080 'freephone' numbers.

BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS

Billing: Fees and Charges

Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if the Government will bring forward amendments to the draft Consumer Rights Bill to prevent companies from charging vulnerable consumers from being charged by companies for choosing to receive bills and statements through the post.

Jo Swinson: Existing rules apply in key service sectors to ensure that where different prices apply they are clear and properly justified by differences in processing costs to the business. Paper bills will not always be the best choice for more vulnerable customers who should seek advice on the most appropriate payment method and provider for their circumstances. For example, cheaper tariffs are made available to certain qualifying customers.

Billing: Fees and Charges

Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if the Government will make proposals to prevent vulnerable consumers from being charged by companies for choosing to receive bills and statements through the post.

Jo Swinson: I have no plans for additional measures at this time and rules already exist in key service sectors. Many businesses offer cheaper tariffs to their more vulnerable customers and legislative safeguards exist so that regulators can act on excessive charges.

Billing: Fees and Charges

Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what his policy is on companies charging consumers who choose to receive paper bills and statements by post; and what assessment he has made of the effect this has on vulnerable consumers.

Jo Swinson: What prices a business charges its customers is a commercial matter for them. Where there are different prices for electronic and paper bill recipients these should be clear and justified by differences in the cost of processing payment receipts.
	The effect on customers will differ depending on circumstances and the reasons they have chosen to have paper bills, but many business offer cheaper tariffs to certain qualifying customers.

Further Education: Teacher Training

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what proportion of teachers working in further education colleges are currently neither qualified nor in training.

Matthew Hancock: Information on the qualifications that teachers in further education colleges hold, or the training that teachers are currently undertaking is not collected or held centrally by Government or any of its agencies.
	As independent organisations, further education colleges are individually responsible for their teachers, including training and continuing professional development.
	The most recent evidence collected by the then Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) for the year 2010-11 reported that almost 80% of teachers in further education institutions held teaching qualifications and 19% were enrolled on teaching qualification courses.

Higher Education: Admissions

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he plans to take to institute an alternative university admissions process so that applications can be made after A-level results are published.

David Willetts: Universities are independent and autonomous organisations responsible for their own admissions decisions. The Government has no legal power to interfere in university admissions.
	In April last year UCAS published a comprehensive review of the university admission process. As part of this review UCAS consulted extensively across the education sector on the barriers and benefits to the introduction of a system of post qualification application (PQA) to higher education. Their firm recommendation was that a system of PQA should not be implemented.
	UCAS is currently working to implement the recommendations from their review of the university admissions process.

Regional Growth Fund

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills on what date a final agreed offer was reached for each award under round one of the Regional Growth Fund; and what the monetary value was of each such award.

Michael Fallon: Contracting for Regional Growth Fund (RGF) awards under Round 1 is now complete.
	39% of Round 1 offers had been finalised within six months of the original conditional offer and 80% within 15 months. On 19 October 2012 I introduced a six month maximum time limit on all outstanding negotiations in order to bring them to a close. The last offer was subsequently finalised on 19 April 2013.
	49 final awards are in place, totalling £383 million. A further £57 million has been recycled back into the RGF following the withdrawal of the original conditional award to a number of projects.
	It is not possible to provide an itemised list of awards due to commercial sensitivity.

Royal Mail

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much Royal Mail spent on commissioning the survey published on 25 September 2013 by Ipsos-MORI.

Michael Fallon: Royal Mail's expenditure on this survey is an operational matter and is the direct responsibility of the company.

Royal Mail

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 21 October 2013, Official Report, column 49W, on Royal Mail, what funds were held on the Government's behalf from applicants in the direct retail offer.

Michael Fallon: Approximately £1.4 billion from applicants in the direct retail offer were held on Government's behalf.

Royal Mail

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 21 October 2013, Official Report, column 49W, on Royal Mail, what amount of interest has accrued to date.

Michael Fallon: The interest accrued by 21 October 2013 was approximately £78,000. This will be paid into the Consolidated Fund. The intention of interest accrued on retail applications is in line with that taken in precedent privatisations.

Students: Loans

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent representations he received from the Scottish Government on the student loans book.

David Willetts: The Scottish Government is a participant in the sale of the remaining publicly-owned mortgage style loans, which the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, the right hon. Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable),
	announced on 26 March 2013.
	I spoke to Scottish Government Ministers prior to their decision to participate in the mortgage style loan sale.
	BIS officials are in regular discussions with the Scottish Government and other devolved Administrations regarding the income contingent repayment (ICR) and mortgage style student loan books, which are administered by SLC.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Rugby: World Cup

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the potential effect on grass roots rugby union in the UK of hosting the Rugby World Cup in 2015.

Helen Grant: Sport England is investing £20 million to support grassroots rugby through the Rugby Football Union. The RFU expects the 2015 World Cup to inspire more people to take up rugby. It estimates that by 2017, 215,000 people will be playing rugby at least once a week. That will be almost 50,000 more than in April 2013.

Tourism

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate she has made of the amount spent in the British tourism industry by (a) UK nationals, (b) EU nationals and (c) all other foreign nationals in each of the last five years.

Helen Grant: The amount spent in the British tourism industry by UK nationals, EU nationals and all other foreign nationals in each of the last five years is set out in the table.
	
		
			 Tourism spending in the UK 
			 £ million 
			  2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 
			 UK nationals overnight trips 20,168 20,971 19,797 22,666 23,976 
			 UK nationals day trips(1) n/a n/a n/a 52,040 57,052 
			 EU nationals 8,030 8,066 7,932 8,167 8,183 
			 All other nationals 8,293 8,526 8,966 9,831 10,457 
			 (1) The figure for UK nationals expenditure is split into overnight visits and day visits but it should be noted that the day visits survey has only been running since 2011, providing two years of data. It should also be noted that figures from 2005-10 consider the whole of the UK, and are not directly comparable with subsequent data, which considers residents of Great Britain only—Northern Ireland run separate surveys.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Kashmir

Debbie Abrahams: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much her Department spent in (a) Kashmir and (b) joint projects between Pakistan-controlled and Indian-controlled Kashmir, in each year since 2009.

Alan Duncan: UK aid to Kashmir is currently delivered through national programmes operating in both Pakistan and India. It is not possible to disaggregate costs specifically for Kashmir without incurring disproportionate cost. A full breakdown of UK bilateral aid provided to Pakistan and India over each of the past five years can be found at
	www.gov.uk/government/publications/statistics-on-international-development
	The tri-departmental Conflict Pool funds programmes in Pakistan and India controlled Kashmir that are administered by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. A total of £1,576,222 has been spent on Kashmir from the South Asia Conflict Pool since 2009. This is broken down as follows:
	
		
			  £ 
			 2009-10 192,064 
			 2010-11 486,621 
			 2011-12 623,842 
			 2012-13 273,695

Overseas Aid

Iain McKenzie: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps her Department takes to ensure that aid to developing countries reaches the intended recipients; and if she will make a statement.

Alan Duncan: DFID has robust monitoring systems in place to ensure that aid to developing countries reaches the intended recipients. All projects are reviewed annually with a specific focus on the results achieved and feedback from beneficiaries. Teams also provide assurance that the risk of funds not being used for their intended purpose is being well managed.

Palestinians

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  what recent information her Department has received on the Palestinian Authority's provision of welfare payments to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons;
	(2)  what recent information her Department has received on Israel's provision of canteen payments to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons.

Alan Duncan: UK aid does not contribute to any payments made by the Palestinian Authority to prisoners or their families, and the Department has not received any recent information relating to them.

Syria

Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much humanitarian aid her Department has provided to Syria in the last six months; and whether her Department has monitored its use.

Alan Duncan: Since the start of the crisis in Syria in 2011, the UK has committed half a billion pounds, the largest total sum the UK has ever committed to a single crisis. £255 million of this has already been allocated to partners, £150 million of which is for support inside Syria.
	DFID monitors all humanitarian assistance to Syria. All partners are required to submit quarterly reports against agreed project outputs, annual audited accounts and regular narrative and financial reporting.

DEFENCE

Air Force: Recruitment

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on the use of pre-disposition data by Royal Air Force Recruitment and Selection; what assessment he has made of the case of Ms Lowri Simner, reference RAFC 52427/1/R&S; and if he will make a statement.

Anna Soubry: The term 'pre-disposition data' is not recognised by RAF Recruitment and Selection. The RAF uses a range of information on which to assess the eligibility of candidates for the RAF.
	In accordance with our obligations under the Data Protection Act, we do not comment on individual cases.

Armed Forces: Domestic Violence

Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will take steps to encourage closer working relationships between Armed Forces Family Support units and domestic violence charities.

Anna Soubry: Dealing with incidents of domestic violence requires a wide range of skills from a variety of service and civilian support agencies and this includes domestic violence charities. The Ministry of Defence recognises the importance of the support that domestic violence charities offer, and our policy is to engage with such charities (eg Woman's Aid, Refuge, Respect and Victim Support) as appropriate.
	There are a number of examples of close working relationships at local level; the Army Welfare Service is a member of the North East Hampshire Domestic Abuse Forum; has worked alongside Women's Aid, and have staff who trained as Independent Domestic Violence Advisers (training delivered by Women's Aid and CAADA (Co-ordinated Action Against Domestic Abuse)).
	The naval service welfare organisations have an agreement with “Aurora New Dawn”, a charity that provides enhanced support to victims of domestic violence. They have also implemented a new initiative in the Gosport and Fareham area where a military working group has been instigated with Community Safety Partnerships and several charities to provide support to victims.
	To further demonstrate our closer working relationships with charities, the North East Hampshire Domestic Abuse Forum secured LIBOR funding (as announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in September 2013) to develop a domestic abuse toolkit for working with armed forces families.

Artillery

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he last met BAe Systems to discuss production of the M777 howitzer.

Philip Dunne: I last discussed the production of the M777 howitzer for potential export to India with BAE Systems at the Defence Security and Equipment International 2013 event last month.

Defence: Scotland

Iain McKenzie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the number of jobs in the defence industry in Scotland; and what estimate he has made of the number of such jobs in the event of Scottish separation.

Andrew Murrison: The Ministry of Defence does not produce estimates of jobs in the defence industry in Scotland. However, according to Scottish Development International, the aerospace, defence and marine industry in Scotland employs nearly 40,000 staff, with the defence sector employing around 12,600 people.
	The UK Government is clear that Scotland benefits from being part of the UK and the UK benefits from having Scotland within it. The UK Government is not making plans for independence as we are confident that people in Scotland will continue to support Scotland remaining within the UK.
	In the event of independence, companies based in an independent Scottish state would no longer be eligible for contracts that the UK is able to place or compete domestically for national security reasons; and where they could continue to compete they would be competing for business in an international market.
	The Scottish Government needs to set out clearly how independence would benefit the Scottish economy, Scottish jobs and the Scottish people. It has failed to do this so far.

Energy

Christopher Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what costs were incurred by his Department's estate in respect of (a) gas and (b) electricity supply in the 2012-13 financial year.

Andrew Murrison: The total expenditure on gas and electricity across the Department's worldwide state of approximately 4,000 sites in financial year 2012-13 is shown in the following table:
	
		
			 Utility Expenditure (rounded to nearest £ million) 
			 Gas 122 
			 Electricity 209

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

Hillsborough Independent Panel

Steve Rotheram: To ask the Attorney-General what assessment he has made of the decision of the chief executive of the Crown Prosecution Service to partially recuse himself from decision making in the Hillsborough investigations; and what effect this decision will have on the timeline for potential criminal prosecutions.

Dominic Grieve: I consider the decision of the chief executive of the Crown Prosecution Service to recuse himself from any decisions involving the West Midlands police in order to meet the concerns expressed by some of the families of the victims to be understandable and sensible. It will not impact on the timeline for any potential criminal prosecutions. Where he is not involved, the decision maker will be Sue Hemming, the head of special crime and counter terrorism division, who is already heavily involved in the case.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Animal Experiments: Scotland

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many project licences were granted under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 for experiments in Scotland in 2010; and how many such project licences were in force at the end of 2012.

James Brokenshire: During 2010 a total of 515 project licences in total were granted under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 in the United Kingdom of which 100 were granted at establishments in Scotland. Of these, 91 licences were still in force on 31 December 2012.
	I note that the statistics reported reflect the returns in the annual statistics under project licences where the primary availability is in Scotland. Returns reported for Scotland could therefore include statistics for additional availabilities at other establishments not in Scotland, or work at non-licensed places, also not in Scotland, that are authorised by the project licence.

EU Justice and Home Affairs

Jacob Rees-Mogg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many people have been (a) prosecuted and (b) convicted in another EU member state, pursuant to Council Framework Decision 2002/946/JHA, for breaching UK immigration law in each of the last five years;
	(2)  whether the Government intends to continue the exchange of information with other EU member states required by Article 7 of Framework Decision 2002/946/JHA, assuming that the UK ceases to be bound by that Framework Decision pursuant to Article 10 of the Protocol on Transitional Provisions annexed to the EU treaties; and what assessment she has made of whether other member states will continue to participate in that exchange with the UK;
	(3)  whether other EU member states will continue to criminalise breaches of UK immigration law to the extent that they are currently required to do so by Council Framework Decision 2002/946/JHA, assuming that the UK ceases to be bound by this Framework Decision pursuant to Article 10 of the Protocol on Transitional Provisions annexed to the EU treaties;
	(4)  whether the Government intends to retain unchanged the provisions of UK law and practice required by Council Framework Decision 2002/946/JHA, assuming that the UK ceases to be bound by the Framework Decision pursuant to Article 10 of the Protocol on Transitional Provisions annexed to the EU treaties;
	(5)  how many people have been (a) prosecuted and (b) convicted in the UK, pursuant to Council Framework Decision 2002/946/JHA, for breaching the immigration law of another EU member state in each of the last five years.

James Brokenshire: holding answer 17 October 2013
	The information requested on the number of people prosecuted and convicted in another EU member state for breaching UK law; and, the number of people prosecuted and convicted in the UK for breaching the law of another EU member state is not held centrally.
	The UK will continue to exchange information with other member states via the National Crime Agency and the UK's Europol National Unit. Other member states will also be able to exchange information with the UK via these structures and will continue to be bound by this measure and any obligations it proposes in relation to the criminalisation of acts.
	As the UK has opted out of this measure, it is important to note that on 1 December 2014 the UK will have the power to change legislation on this matter in our Parliament. At the moment, there is no intention to change provisions of UK law.

EU Justice and Home Affairs

Jacob Rees-Mogg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  whether the Government intends to retain without change existing provisions of UK law and practice required by Council Framework Decision 2005/212/JHA, if the UK ceases to be bound by that Framework Decision pursuant to Article 10 of the Protocol on Transitional Provisions annexed to the EU treaties;
	(2)  which requirements of Council Framework Decision 2005/212/JHA the UK (a) does and (b) does not implement.

James Brokenshire: The UK has fully implemented this Framework Decision, with the exception of provisions relating to the confiscation of instrumentalities. The definition of ‘instrumentalities’ in UK law relating to the confiscation of the proceeds of crime is narrower than that in the Framework Decision. Had the UK not opted out of this measure, it would have been necessary to amend our domestic law to comply with the obligations of the Framework Decision.
	As the UK has opted out of this measure, it is important to note that on 1 December 2014, the UK will have the power to change legislation or practice on this matter in our Parliament. The Government does however currently intend to retain, without change, existing provisions of UK law relating to the confiscation of the proceeds of crime.

EU Justice and Home Affairs

Jacob Rees-Mogg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many times UK authorities have taken part in meetings pursuant to Article 5(2) of Council Decision 2003/335/JHA in each of the last five years; what information was exchanged with UK authorities on each such occasion; and what her assessment is of how useful this information has been to the UK;
	(2)  how many times UK authorities have received information as a result of Article 3(3) of Council Decision 2003/335/JHA in each of the last five years; and what action was taken by UK authorities on the basis of this information in each case;
	(3)  how many times UK authorities applied to the authorities of another EU member state for information under Article 3(2) of Council Decision 2003/335/JHA in each of the last five years; and on how many of these occasions UK authorities received the information they sought;
	(4)  in how many cases UK authorities co-ordinated their activities with the authorities of one or more other EU member states as a result of the provisions of Article 5(1) of Council Decision 2003/335/JHA in each of the last five years; and what the substance and outcome of the co-ordination was in each case;
	(5)  whether the Government plans to maintain co-operation with other EU member states established by Council Decision 2003/335/JHA were the UK no longer bound by that Decision pursuant to Article 10 of the Protocol on Transitional Provisions annexed to the EU treaties; and what assessment she has made of whether this would be at least as efficacious as UK participation in the Decision.;
	(6)  what the cost to the public purse has been of UK participation in Council Decision 2003/335/JHA in each of the last five years;
	(7)  whether the Government plans to retain unchanged existing provisions of UK law and practice required by Council Decision 2003/335/JHA, were the UK no longer bound by the Decision pursuant to Article 10 of the Protocol on Transitional Provisions annexed to the EU treaties;
	(8)  in how many cases UK authorities co-operated with the authorities of another EU member state due to the provisions of Article 3(1) of Council Decision 2003/335/JHA in each of the last five years; and what the substance and outcome of the co-operation was in each case;
	(9)  which of the requirements of Council Decision 2003/335/JHA the UK (a) has and (b) has not implemented.

James Brokenshire: UK Contact Points designated under Council Decision 2002/494/JHA have taken part in five meetings pursuant to Article 5(2) of Council Decision 2003/335/JHA. No record of the type of information shared by the UK at these meetings is held centrally. The UK is already committed to the investigation and prosecution of those suspected of crimes covered by this measure and its impact is not operationally significant.
	Information on the number of times the UK has received information in the last five years as a result of Article 3(3) is not recorded centrally. Nor is information on the number of cases for which the UK authorities applied to the authorities of another EU member state under Article 3(2) in the last five years. The information on the number of cases UK authorities coordinated their activities with the authorities of one or more other EU member states as a result of the provisions of Article 5(1) of Council Decision 2003/335/JHA is not available centrally.
	The UK does not need to rely on Article 3(1) of Council Decision 2003/335/JHA to assist the investigation and prosecution of crimes referred to in Article 1 of the Council Decision in another EU member state.
	However, Home Office records indicate that since 1 January 2007, 16 requests relating to the investigation and prosecution of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide have been received from EU member states. The number of outgoing requests sent by the UK to EU member states is not held centrally.
	This information has been provided from local management information and has not been quality assured to the level of published National Statistics. As such it should be treated as provisional and therefore subject to change.
	The UK has implemented the measure through administrative means and is compliant in most respects. This measure imposes obligations in regard to the routine sharing of information. The sharing of such information raises issues regarding the safeguarding of personal information, confidentiality, use of material, and disclosure. This provision makes it difficult for the UK to operate in practice.
	There are no specific costs associated with participation in this measure over the last five years.
	As the UK has opted out of this measure, it is important to note that on 1 December 2014, the UK will have the power to change legislation on this matter in our Parliament. However, at the moment, the Government will retain unchanged existing UK law and practice and will maintain co-operation with other member states.

EU Justice and Home Affairs

Jacob Rees-Mogg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how the requirements of Council Framework Decision 2001/500/JHA are implemented in the UK; and whether the Government intends to retain these implementing measures unchanged if the UK ceases to be bound by the Framework Decision pursuant to Article 10 of the Protocol on Transitional Provisions annexed to the EU treaties;
	(2)  how many times the UK has sent a request to another EU member state regarding asset identification, tracing, freezing or seizing and confiscation that was processed in accordance with Article 4 of Council Framework Decision 2001/500/JHA in each of the last five years; and on how many of these occasions the UK request was fulfilled;
	(3)  what the cost to the public purse has been of UK compliance with Council Framework Decision 2001/500/JHA in each of the last five years;
	(4)  whether the UK implements all the requirements of Council Framework Decision 2001/500/JHA; and if not, which requirements are not implemented;
	(5)  whether the Government plans to maintain the reciprocal arrangements provided for by Article 4 of Council Framework Decision 2001/500/JHA with some or all other EU member states if the UK ceases to be bound by that Framework Decision pursuant to Article 10 of the Protocol on Transitional Provisions annexed to the EU treaties; how the Government would do this; and what assessment she has made of whether this would be at least as efficacious as UK participation in the Framework Decision;
	(6)  how many times in each of the last five years the UK has received a request from another EU member state regarding asset identification, tracing, freezing or seizing and confiscation that was processed in accordance with Article 4 of Council Framework Decision 2001/500/JHA; and on how many such occasions the UK fulfilled the request.

James Brokenshire: The UK meets all the obligations required by Council Framework Decision 2001/500/JHA through the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and the Crime (International Co-operation) Act 2003. The UK's ability to confiscate the value of assets which are derived from criminal activity, including the value of assets which have derived from criminality other than that for which the defendant has been convicted, predates the existence of the Framework Decision.
	The Proceeds of Crime Act established for the first time, the "all crimes" approach, which is in the spirit of this Framework Decision. In respect of value based confiscation, the UK has always adopted this approach. The UK also seeks to provide the widest measures of assistance through mutual legal assistance.
	As the UK has opted out of this measure, it is important to note that on 1 December 2014, the UK will have the power to change legislation on this matter in our Parliament. At the moment, there is currently no intention to change provisions of UK law.
	Statistics on the numbers of requests made to and from the UK from other EU members states for asset identification, tracing, freezing or seizing and confiscation are not held centrally. The Government is not in a position to state the legal basis upon which requests for asset identification, tracing, freezing or seizing and confiscation are processed by other EU member states.
	The cost of compliance with the Framework Decision is met through the standard day to day running costs of the United Kingdom Central Authority, the Crown Prosecution Service and the National Crime Agency.
	Subsequent to the opt-out taking effect the UK will continue to afford mutual legal assistance to all other EU member states through existing domestic legislation such as the Crime (International Co-operation) Act 2003. There is not expected to be any drop in efficacy.

EU Justice and Home Affairs

Jacob Rees-Mogg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many exchanges of information involving the UK have taken place in each of the last five years owing to Council Decision 2002/956/JHA, as amended; and how many of these exchanges have included operational information on the protection of a UK public figure or a public figure in the UK;
	(2)  what the cost to UK public funds of UK participation in the European Network for the Protection of Public Figures, established by Council Decision 2002/956/JHA has been in each of the last five years;
	(3)  how many common views have been established, and remain valid, pursuant to Article 4 of Council Decision 2002/956/JHA, as amended; what the substance of these common views is; whether these common views have entailed any changes to UK practices; and how often the relevant UK authorities have drawn on these common views in their operations in each of the five years;
	(4)  whether the Government intends to continue the co-operation with other EU Member States currently undertaken as a result of Council Decision 2002/956/JHA if the UK ceases to be bound by that Council Decision pursuant to Article 10 of the Protocol on Transitional Provisions annexed to the EU treaties; and what estimate she has made of the approximate cost to UK public funds of making arrangements for continuing such exchanges.

James Brokenshire: Details of the number of times information was exchanged, and the cost to the public purse in the last five years of UK participation in the European Network for the Protection of Public Figures, is not held centrally.
	The Network has drawn up a list of contact points within each member state and has developed a 'handbook of best practice' which provides guidance for member states in relation to the protection of public figures visiting another member state. The handbook has not required any changes to UK practices in protection operations. No details are held centrally on the number of times the handbook has been referenced in the last five years in protection operations.
	The UK will continue to share information on a bilateral basis either through embassies or designated contact points in each member state. No additional costs are expected as information sharing with other EU member states occurs irrespective of this measure.
	As the UK has opted out of this measure, it is important to note that on 1 December 2014, the UK will have the power to change operational practice on this matter. At the moment the Government has no intention to do so as this measure has not required any changes to operational practices or procedures.

EU Justice and Home Affairs

Jacob Rees-Mogg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what the cost to UK public funds of UK participation in Council Decision 2002/996/JHA, including the secondment of national experts to evaluation teams has been in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how many evaluation exercises have been undertaken pursuant to Council Decision 202/996/JHA;
	(3)  whether the UK could continue to participate in decision-making of the Council under Article 8(3) of Council Decision 202/996/JHA if the UK ceases to be bound by that Council Decision pursuant to Article 10 of the Protocol on Transitional Provisions annexed to the EU treaties;
	(4)  whether other EU member states have implemented recommendations made to them as a result of the evaluation process established by Council Decision 2002/996/JHA;
	(5)  whether the Government will seek to contribute to the influencing and sharing of best practice across the EU on the matters covered by Council Decision 2002/996/JHA if the UK ceases to be bound by that Council Decision pursuant to Article 10 of the Protocol on Transitional Provisions annexed to the EU treaties; how the Government would do this; and what assessment she has made of whether this would be at least as efficacious as UK participation in the mechanism established by Council Decision 2002/996/JHA.

James Brokenshire: Two evaluation exercises have been undertaken pursuant to Council Decision 2002/996/JHA.
	The UK has seconded national experts to one evaluation team in the last five years. The information requested on the cost to the public purse as a result of participation in Council Decision 2002/996/JHA, including the cost of the secondment of national experts, is not held centrally.
	The UK could not continue to participate in the decision-making processes provided for in Decision 202/996/JHA, if the UK ceases to be bound by that Decision.
	The UK will however, continue to work with member states to exchange best practice on counter terrorism strategies outside of the mechanism established by this Decision.
	Information on the steps taken by other member states to implement recommendations is not gathered by the UK Government and it is not possible to evaluate the changes that have been made as a result of the possible to evaluate the changes that have been made as a result of the reviews.
	The UK wishes to maintain its strong reputation in counter-terrorism and will continue to pursue the objective of strengthening counter-terrorism capability across the EU by influencing and sharing best practice outside of the framework. The UK co-operates bilaterally with other member states on Counter Terrorism and will continue to do so irrespective of participation in this measure. As the UK has opted out of this measure, it is important to note that on 1 December 2014, the UK will have the power to decide on a case-by-case basis the most efficacious method of doing so.

EU Justice and Home Affairs

Jacob Rees-Mogg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what the cost to the public purse has been in each of the last five years of UK participation in Council Decision 2004/919/EC;
	(2)  which of the requirements of Council Decision 2004/919/EC the UK (a) has and (b) has not implemented;
	(3)  what steps the Government has taken as a result of Article 3(1) of Council Decision 2004/919/EC in each of the last five years; what the frequency of these actions has been; and what assessment she has made of the usefulness of these actions in the fight against cross-border vehicle crime;
	(4)  whether the Government intends to maintain unchanged the co-operation and information exchange with other EU member states established by Council Decision 2004/919/EC if the UK ceases to be bound by that Decision pursuant to Article 10 of the Protocol on Transitional Provisions annexed to the EU treaties; how such co-operation would be maintained; and what assessment she has made of whether this would be at least as efficacious as UK participation in the Decision;
	(5)  how many times UK authorities provided information to Europol as a result of Article 9 of Council Decision 2004/919/EC in each of the last five years;
	(6)  whether the Government intends to retain unchanged existing UK law and practice required by Council Decision 2004/919/EC if the UK ceases to be bound by that Decision pursuant to Article 10 of the Protocol on Transitional Provisions annexed to the EU treaties;
	(7)  how many times UK authorities have (a) provided information to and (b) received information from authorities of one or more other EU member states as a result of Articles 4 and 5 of Council Decision 2004/919/EC in each of the last five years; and what action (i) authorities of other EU member states and (ii) UK authorities took on the basis of information received in each case;
	(8)  how many alerts (a) the UK and (b) other EU member states entered in the Schengen Information System under Article 6 of Council Decision 2004/919/EC in each of the last five years; what action the UK took in response to each of the alerts entered by other EU member states; and what action other EU member states took in response to each of the alerts entered by the UK.

James Brokenshire: The information requested on the cost to the public purse in the last five years of UK participation in Council Decision 2004/919/EC is not held centrally.
	The Government recognises that cross-border vehicle crime is a serious issue that requires police forces and other law enforcement agencies to work together across national boundaries. We agree that the police should be able to undertake practical co-operation with their counterparts and multilateral organisations across Europe and beyond where necessary. The exact nature and extent of that co-operation should be a matter for the police to determine.
	The UK has implemented this measure through administrative means. Had the UK not opted out of this measure it may have been necessary to amend our domestic law to comply with the obligations contained within Articles 4(2), 5, 6 or 11 of the Council Decision.
	The Government has set one objective for the police, to reduce crime. The Government has not therefore tracked the frequency of actions taken by the police in respect of the sort of international cooperation envisaged by Article 3(1). Nor does the Government have plans to make a specific assessment about those actions.
	Information on how many times UK authorities provided information to Europol as a result of Article 9 of Council Decision 2004/919/EC is not held centrally.
	Information on how many times UK authorities have provided information to, and received information from, authorities of one of more other EU members states as a result of Articles 4 and 5 of Council Decision 2004/919/EC is not held centrally. Nor is information on what action UK authorities may have taken on the basis of information received in such cases.
	The UK did not participate in the Schengen Information System and will not go live on the Second Generation Schengen Information System until October 2014. As a result, no information has been entered as a result of Article 6 of Council Decision 2004/919/EC.
	As the UK has opted out of this measure, it is important to note that on 1 December 2014 the UK will have the power to change legislation on this matter in our Parliament and operational practices. At the moment, there is currently no intention to change provisions of UK law and operational practices are a matter for the police to determine.

EU Justice and Home Affairs

Jacob Rees-Mogg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  whether the Government plans to retain unchanged existing UK law and practice required by Council Framework Decision 2004/757/JHA, if the UK ceases to be bound by that Framework Decision pursuant to Article 10 of the Protocol on Transitional Provisions annexed to the EU treaties;
	(2)  whether the UK would continue to co-operate with other EU member states on issues pertaining to Council Framework Decision 2004/757/JHA were the UK no longer bound by the Framework Decision pursuant to Article 10 of the Protocol on Transitional Provisions annexed to the EU treaties.

James Brokenshire: As the UK has opted out of this measure, it is important to note that on 1 December 2014, the UK will have the power to change legislation on this matter in our Parliament. However, at the moment, the Government will retain unchanged existing UK law and practice required by Council Framework Decision 2004/757/JHA.
	The UK Government has worked at a practical level with international partners on drugs issues for many years. Practical co-operation with other member states will not change as a result of opting out of this measure.

Stop and Search: Young People

Julian Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people under 18 years of age were subject to stop and search procedures in (a) England and (b) each London borough in each of the last five years.

James Brokenshire: holding answer 21 October 2013
	Data on the age of persons stopped and searched are not held centrally.
	Data on the main stop and search powers used by police in England and Wales are published by the Home Office on an annual basis in the National Statistics series ‘Police Powers and Procedures’. Latest published data cover the period up to the financial year 2011-12 and are included in the latest internet-only release, which is available via:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/police-powers-and-procedures-in-england-and-wales-201112